Damascus:The US-led coalition has admitted its planes carried out an attack in eastern Syria that the Russian army says killed at least 62 Syrian troops fighting Islamic State terror group. The US said its planes halted the attack in Deir al-Zour when informed about the presence of Syrian troops.

A spokesman for US President Barack Obama apologised for unintentional loss of life. Russia said the US strikes allowed IS to advance. Moscow also called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the issue. Russia earlier said the current ceasefire in Syria is in danger of collapse and the US will be to blame. The cessation of hostilities does not include attacks by the US on IS or other jihadist groups.

The US Central Command statement said the coalition believed it was attacking positions of so-called Islamic State and the raids were halted immediately when coalition officials were informed by Russian officials that it was possible the personnel and vehicles targeted were part of the Syrian military.